National Merit Scholarship question

I don’t think this was offered at my daughter’s high school (the chance to earn it), is it something that is supposed to be offered to all kids taking the PSAT? According to my daughter, it was offered to only the first 30 kids that signed up for it at her STEM school that she attends half the day, and you had to pay extra $15. When I read about it here it seems that it is something that is automatically earned if you get the right score. Can someone clarify how the NMS works? I have looked at the website but didn’t really understand it. I don’t seem to know any kids that have earned it, none of my daughter’s high stat friends have managed to get the recognition. I swear I have learned about so many important things here way too late! For the oldest of my kids, anyway. At least I have 3 more kids to not mess things up for ;o).

Is your DD a junior this year?

Some schools only let 30 kids sign up for the test because they only have one person who can proctor the exam.

NMSF status is based on the PSAT score, and the cutoff is different in each state.

But your kid might be able to take the PSAT elsewhere if THAT school gives permission to do so. We almost had one kid who had to do that because of a family commitment and shenwas staying with friends in another town…

But from what the OP is saying…kids had to pay extra for NMS consideration on the PSAT. No that is nit a requirement of the NMS folks. Also, the OP implies that only the first 30 kids could be considered for NM status…and pay that extra $15 to do so…but that others could,take,the test.

If that is the case, there is some misunderstanding…somewhere!!

^^
When I first read, that’s what I thought she was saying.

But after a re-read, I think she’s saying that the school only allows 30 students to take the test, and THOSE 30 must pay $15 when they sign up (first come, first serve)

there was a public school by us that similarly limited the PSAT test to the first 30 students (who had to be in honors), and they had to sign up and hand over a $15 check. Their reasoning was that they only could spare one proctor for the exam, so only 30 honor students could PSAT test.

YES…if this student is a sophomore, then she can always sign up at another school and take it next Oct. But, if she’s already a junior, then that ship has sailed.

Yes, my daughter is a junior this year. So maybe our district did only let some kids at the advanced school sign up. I think that sounds awful though. I didn’t really understand what she was talking about when she brought it up and didn’t get her signed up in time. I never heard anything about it at her regular high school, so I thought that was odd. I will definitely talk to some counselors before my freshman is eligible for it. Thanks for responding!

It’s too late for your Junior D, but there’s an alternate entry for National Merit in case your younger D also runs into problems.

http://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=398

A student who does not take the PSAT/NMSQT because of illness, an emergency, or other extenuating circumstance, but meets all other requirements for NMSC program participation, may still be able to enter the competition. The student or a school official must write to NMSC as soon as possible after the PSAT/NMSQT administration to request information about procedures for alternate entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program. To be considered, a request must be postmarked no later than March 1 following the PSAT/NMSQT administration that was missed. The alternate entry request should include the name and address of the student; the contact information of the person making the request; the name and address of the student’s high school; and a brief explanation of why the student missed the PSAT/NMSQT.

The earlier NMSC receives the written request, the greater the student's opportunities for meeting alternate entry requirements. Upon receiving and processing the request, NMSC will provide alternate entry materials, including instructions for program entry and a form that requires the signature of a school official.

I suppose you could call them and ask, but the March 1 deadline has passed.

Thank you @DiotimaDM for the information!

It is incredibly unfair and short sighted to limit access to the PSAT. The potential loss of scholarships for students is incredible.